The feet, although we hardly pay attention to them, are a very important part of our body: they support the weight and allow us to walk, run…
But also, as they warn from:
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“They can give us a lot of information about the general state of health.”
Over the years, they undergo changes. And not only on the skin, as it becomes thinner and therefore more sensitive with age, but also on the bones and joints.
Thus, the dreaded bunions or annoying calluses and calluses (thickening of the skin due to excess friction and pressure) can appear.
The feet, therefore, are essential for well-being and, above all, for our health. Because some very common problems, such as back, hip or knee pain, can originate from them.
Cold feet
If it happens in winter, beyond how annoying it can be, it has no medical importance. However, if it is accompanied by other symptoms, it can be a sign of some pathology.
As the specialists point out:
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“It is usually a clear symptom of blood circulation problems.”
It is the case of the Raynaud’s disease, which among its symptoms presents numbness and cold in some areas of the body, such as the feet and fingers. To this we must add color changes in the skin of the extremities and a tingling sensation.
It is a more frequent disease in women and, depending on its severity, it is not disabling although it does affect the quality of life of patients.
The root of this ailment may lie in the consumption of certain medications, such as those indicated for blood pressure, toxic habits, or tarsal tunnel syndrome.
However, it is not the only condition that can be behind cold feet.
The peripheral neuropathy It is born as a consequence of neurological damage, when nerves outside the brain and peripheral nerves are affected. And, generally, the cause of this disease is metabolic problems, infections or diabetes.
Bad smell
It is very uncomfortable and can even limit the social activity of the sufferer.
In general, most believe that it is a problem associated with poor or poor hygiene, but the reality is that this is not always the case.
Its scientific name is And it can happen to all kinds of people, regardless of their hygiene, and at any time of the year, although there are certain seasons where bad foot odor is more prone to appear.
Feet have more than 250,000 sweat glands. And the bad smell is produced when sweat comes into contact with bacteria present on the skin.
But this excessive sweating, and therefore bad smell, is not always related to poor hygiene, as it can occur for different reasons.
One of them is mycosis, as he explains to Rosario Correa, president of the An infectious disease that occurs when a fungus invades a nail causing it to turn yellow and may split or crack.
Athlete’s foot is another pathology that can trigger bad odor and that mainly affects athletes due to excess moisture in the footwear.
Hormonal changes (mainly in adolescence) also play a fundamental role. But the thing does not stop there.
Swollen feet
It is more common than it seems. After a long day, feet don’t look the same as they did in the morning. And although it tends to occur more frequently during the summer and episodes of extreme heat, it can appear after sitting or standing for many hours.
For this reason, it is advisable after the working day to go for a walk or play sports.
Obesity or alcohol consumption can also promote swelling of the feet.
Other causes are the following:
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Hormonal changes.
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Pregnancy.
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Inadequate footwear.
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Diabetes.
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Foot injuries.
And what is important, as they warn from:
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“If the swelling hasn’t subsided in a couple of weeks, see your podiatrist as the reason could be other underlying issues, such as heart and kidney problems.”
Nails that have changed color
Although fungus is usually the most common cause of nail color change,
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“It could be due to blood circulation difficulties, liver problems and chronic diseases.”
In the face of any symptom, as Manchego podiatrists remember, you must immediately go to a professional.